THE UNDAMAGED
The Balkans cradles Europe’s last wild rivers and supports abundant wildlife and healthy, intact ecosystems. These rivers are The Undamaged – clean, pristine, and undammed. With over 2,700 small and large hydro power plants planned or under construction in the Balkans, corruption and greed are destroying the last free-flowing rivers of Europe.
Follow the Balkan Rivers Tour, a rowdy crew of whitewater kayakers, filmers, photographers and friends who decided to stand up for the rivers, travelling from Slovenia to Albania for 36 days, kayaking 23 rivers in 6 countries to protest the dams and show the world the secret, wild rivers of the Balkans. The film honours everyday people and local activists who are fighting to defend rivers and aims to spread the word of the plight of these rivers, showing a new style of nature conservation that fun, energetic and effective.
FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS
International Nature Film Festival Gödöllo | Hungary
Special Award
Mountain Film Meetings Zakopane | Poland
Tatras National Park Award
Swindon Independent Film Festival | UK
Best Documentary Film
Bosnia and Herzegovina Tourism Film Festival | BiH
Best Ecological and Environment Film
Eugene Environmental Film Festival | USA
Audience Choice Award
Zagreb Tour Film Festival | Croatia
Special Director’s Award
Bovec Outdoor Film Festival | Slovenia
People’s Choice Award
Festival Gorniškega Filma | Slovenia
Honourable Mention
Paddling Film Festival | Canada
Best Environmental Film
Waterwalker Film Festival | Canada
Best Documentary Film
Phoenix of Sarajevo International Tourism Film Festival | BiH
Best Tourism Film
THE FILM
The Undamaged follows a crazy group of kayakers who spend a month paddling through the Balkans–from Slovenia to Albania–to expose the last wild rivers of Europe and the dams destroying them. Travel the Balkans in the seat of a whitewater kayak, hear the stories from locals fighting for rivers and get a taste for their livelihoods still deeply connected to rivers. Follow the Balkan Rivers Tour (BRT) crew as they paddle deep into the untouched canyons, protest alongside locals and celebrate the wild rivers of the Balkans.
The film was created to raise awareness about the incredibly rich and wild rivers of the Balkans while simultaneously exposing the issue of dams. The Undamaged proves that nature conservation doesn’t have to take place just in offices and court rooms; that creativity, adventure sports, travel and even beer, can be used to fight for our last wild spaces and that nature conservation can be exciting, fun and extremely effective.
Documentary introduces the issue of dam in the Balkans while shedding light on other battles for rivers around the world. Part of Rok’s inspiration for BRT came from meeting Ben Webb in South America, who started the fight for Rio Marañón and he was similarly inspired by the success of the Franklin River Blockade, which took place on the Franklin and Gordon rivers in Tasmania, between the years 1981-1983. Interestingly enough Ben and Rok have realised that there was a person connecting them and their efforts; Anka Makovec. A lady from Slovenia that moved to Australia in the late 70’s and soon became highly involved in Franklin River Blockade, being one of the driving forces behind it. This is why The Undamaged crew enrolled on a mission to meet the roots and connect all three together and even paddle the Franklin.
Join in this journey of exploration, discovery and resistance and become part of the community of people resisting dams across the Balkans. The Undamaged documentary leaves people with the motivation to act, the courage to stand up to injustice in the world, and the inspiration that it can be effective while being fun.
THE RIVERS
Covering an area of Southeastern Europe about the size of Spain, the Balkans encompass 10 countries–from Slovenia to Greece to the north and south, and Croatia to Romania west and east. This is a region often associated with historic war zones and Mediterranean vacations but it’s also home to the last intact river system of Europe, where mountain snowmelt runs undisturbed to the sea. From a topographic map, an intricate web of blue lines blankets the region, representing the Balkan’s rich river systems. Clear creeks, deep primeval canyons, stunning waterfalls and lush forests make it an area like no other.
The Balkan Peninsula cradles Europe’s last wild rivers and
supports abundant wildlife and healthy, intact freshwater ecosystems.
These rivers are The Undamaged – clean, pristine, and undammed.
Compared to Western Europe where most rivers have been put into concrete ditches, channels or clogged behind dams, the rivers of the Balkans remain almost untouched. A detailed study performed by a number of river conservation NGOs found that 30% of the regions rivers are in pristine or near-natural conditions with another 50% in good condition. If the proposed 2,700 dams are built, thousands of kilometers of wild rivers will be destroyed with irreversible damage to ecosystems and endemic species populations like that of the Balkan lynx and the Danube salmon (Huchen) which has almost been eliminated in Central Europe. New species are being discovered each year—the true wealth of this region is still not fully known.
The Balkans is a paradise for fishermen, kayakers, hikers, climbers and nature lovers. With untapped opportunities for sustainable ecotourism, the rest of Europe and the world has a chance to explore this region in it’s natural state. Traveling to the Balkans helps show decision makers that there is more value in a wild, free-flowing river and in return, can help save these rivers.
THE DAMS
For thousands of years, the people of the Balkans have been defending their valleys from invaders. From Turks to Romans, to both World Wars and the political turmoil of former Yugoslavia, foreigners have sought occupation of this area since the beginning of civilization. Today, the people of the Balkans—especially those still living the traditional way of life with a close connection to nature—are fighting off a different type of invader. Hydropower. Dodging environmental laws and largely funded by foreign investment, the lure of turning these running rivers into cash flow sees foreigners taking control over the Balkan’s most prized natural resource. Water.
Largely fuelled by foreign investment and saturated in corruption, dams in the Balkans provide an outlet for money laundering while disregarding environmental compliance and policy. The energy they create is not delivered to local populations but instead exported while private hydropower plant owners fill their pockets with the subsidies granted for being a ‘green’ energy supplier.
It’s ironic that the destruction of the last wild rivers in Europe is in the name of climate protection. International banks including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has been exposed in reports like this one by BankWatch as one of the funders fuelling hydropower projects in the Balkans. In the past, hydro has been looked to as a form of ‘green’ and sustainable energy. But there is nothing ‘renewable’ about a river completely dry and dead because of an upstream dam. EU taxpayers money is being used to destroy the last wild rivers of Europe.
While Western Europe and North America are removing dams and waking up to the long term negative effects of blocking a river, more dams are being built in the Balkans. Let’s learn from past mistakes, not repeat them.
Pristine + near natural rivers in the Balkans
Source: https://www.balkanrivers.net/
Proposed Hydropower Projects in the Balkans
Source: https://www.balkanrivers.net/
THE LOCALS
The Undamaged honours the local people fighting for their rivers. These are often invisible fights, where ordinary people take extraordinary risks and devoted an incredible amount of time and energy into protecting their natural heritage, native ecosystems and way of life.
“The Valbona is like a member of our family.”
This is how one Albanian man spoke of the river he grew up beside. The Undamaged aims to tell his story, and the story of many others. Bringing awareness to the plight of wild rivers in the Balkans, to the greed and corruption that are destroying them and to fuel the fight to defend them while motivating others to take action. These locals are the heroes of the film.
The mountains, hills and valleys of the Balkans provide the opportunity to journey back in time with locals who still live off the land. However, opposing hydro power in these countries can be a tricky political business. Western countries take for granted the freedom to protest and resist. In the Balkans there are can be repercussions related to speaking out. This shocking study outlines water related conflicts linked to hydro power projects in Albania.
Sustainable tourism operations are slowly being established using rafting, kayaking, and fishing to draw people to the region and supporting locals who live on the rivers.
THE TOUR
What do you do when you find out that a dam is going to be built on your home river? Do you start a petition, write letters to politicians, mobilize the community? When Slovenian kayaker Rok Rozman found out there were 2,700 dams proposed to built in his backyard, the Balkan Peninsula, he did just the opposite. He went kayaking. And this seemingly simple action has started what has become the biggest river conservation movement in Europe.
At a river conservation conference in Belgrade, Rok stood up and told Europe’s biggest freshwater NGO leaders his plan to kayak as many threatened rivers in the Balkans as possible in order to draw awareness to the increasing number of unsanctioned and environmentally devastating hydropower dams. His intention was to combine kayaking and conservation to build a resistance. By paddling whitewater in unknown canyons and tributaries of the Balkans Rok and his friends exposed the corruption that is destroying the last pristine ecosystems of Europe and all that is at stake of being lost.
Balkan Rivers Tour (BRT) travelled the Balkans for 39 days, kayaking 23 rivers in 6 countries and organizing 11 events. The journey ended with an emotionally-charged and exciting protest in front of the Albanian Prime Minister’s headquarters, demanding the Albanian Government to stop all dam plans on the Vjosa River. With a total of 500 paddlers and more than 1,500 protesters from 18 nations, Balkan Rivers Tour was the biggest river conservation action in Europe to date.
BRT reached media across the world, and proved that nature conservation doesn’t have to be serious and stiff, it can be creative, fun and exciting!
THE MOVEMENT
The excitement and momentum of Balkan Rivers Tour continued long after the crew arrived home to Slovenia and the tour turned into a movement. Balkan River Defence (BRD) was born. At its roots BRT was about saving rivers in threat of being dammed. But the success of the tour came from something so organic, and so simple; having fun. BRT created an atmosphere where people are united in the fight for these rivers. Around the fire after a day of kayaking, a biologist can mingle with a local villager, a fly fisherman with a kayaker, each person sharing their concern and connection to the river. The movement Balkan River Defence has become a network that connects river conservation groups across Europe and has helped local initiatives, NGOs and conservation groups defend rivers and stop hydropower projects. To date BRD has helped local NGOs and groups to stop 7 dams…so far.
With the tour as proof that nature conservation can be “rock n’ roll,” BRT 2 & BRT 3 preceded the inaugural tour. And BRT 4 is in the works!
BALKAN RIVER DEFENCE MISSION
REVEAL the remaining free flowing rivers of Europe.
EXPOSE hydropower as unsustainable energy.
PROVIDE alternatives through science, education, creativity + adventure sports.
SUPPORT a network of local river activists.
Balkan Rivers Tour (BRT) is the annual paddling and protesting ‘Tour’ we take through the Balkans. The event and the ‘megaphone’ to spread word about the rivers and the dams. Balkan River Defence (BRD) is the group, the family, the ‘hand’. When the hand holds the megaphone, the message is loud and clear. NO DAMS!
THE TEAM
An eclectic mix of creatives, The Undamaged team is made up of a 100% Balkan crew who share a passion for wild water, wilderness and a strong opposition to capitalism.
Rozle Bregar | Director Matic Oblak | Director Miha Avgustin | Director Rok Rozman | Producer
CREDITS
Idea Rok Rozman
Film directors Rožle Bregar, Matic Oblak, Miha Avguštin
Cinematography Rožle Bregar, Matic Oblak
Camera Miha Avguštin
Editor Svetlana Dramlić Jovičič
Music composer Janez Dovč
Sound designer Gašper Loborec
Visual identity & Illustration Dalibor Kazija
Additional illustration Bor Šparemblek
Producers
Rok Rozman
Matic Oblak
Additional footage
Gregor Šubic
Aljaž Oblak
Ilija Rajda Perić
Mitja Legat
Janez Kotar
Animations
Matic Oblak
Rožle Bregar
Dalibor kazija
Additional editors
Matic Oblak
Rožle Bregar
Assistant editor
Nuruzzaman Khan
Colorist
Rožle Bregar
Trailer editor
Denis Artač
Radio Presenter
Miha Šalehar – Radio Slovenia Val 202
Music
Accordion, double bass, piano, percussion, programming Janez Dovč
Flute Vasko Atanasovski
Acoustic guitar, leb steel guitar, vocal Gregor Volk
Music sound design Janez Križaj
Songs
One way ticket to Sava Dam Simon Urbas
Splet pjesama iz Crne Gore Etno grupa “Trag”
Big city woman Wacky Blues Professors – Prismojeni profesorji bluesa – Family
Kaba me klarinetë Arben Topalli
Jovano Jovanke Perpetuum Jazzile
Race me down the street Wacky Blues Professors – Prismojeni profesorji bluesa- Family
Lisica Katalena – Cvik Cvak (Dallas Records Slovenia)
Revolution is my solution Magnifico
Archive footage
Izgradnja hidrocentrale “Mratinje”: Zvezda film
Dnevnik: RTV Slo, 16.4.2016
Archive photographs
Franklin protests: Book UpRiver;
The Wilderness Society Collection,
Peter Moore, Laurie Fraser,
Anka Makovec archive, John Mclaine
Kavčke: Gornjesavski muzej Jesenice
Translations
Veris d.o.o.
Additional Translations
Islam Kelmendi
Subtitles
Miha Avguštin
Photographer
Jan Pirnat
Special thanks to
Organizations
Eco Albania
Eko Stav
Front 24
Nature Lovers Montenegro
CZZS
Free Rivers Fund
RiverWatch
Euronatur
WWF Adria
Slovenia
Kajak kanu klub Bohinj
Ribiška družina Bohinj
Hostel pod Voglom
Ribiška družina Bled
Tina Raft
Avtohiša Vrtač
Sport center Prijon
Kamp Koren
Labrca
Gostilna Žogica
Osnovna šola Bovec
GIZ Raftarjev Dolina Soče
Trol d.o.o.
Vrtnarstvo Čuden d.o.o.
Danica Rotar Galenia d.o.o.
Tech Trade d.o.o.
Italy
Isola della Cona nature reserve
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Visitor center Donja Pecka
Hitko Rafting
Macedonia
Kamp Grab
Albania
Hotel Rilindja
Municipality Tepelene
The villagers of Kute
Greeece
Via Natura camping
Australia
Water by Nature Tasmania
Franklin River Rafting
Individuals
Olsi Nika, Besjana Guri, Catherine Bohne, Golik, Alex Nikolopaulos, Nikos Manthos, Miljko Bulatović – Gigo, Dimitrije Vujanović, Aleksandra Mrkaić, Nataša Crnković, Jelena Ivanić, Muhidin Hadžiosmanović – Hitko, Anes Halkić – Ani, Paola Luchessi, Vladimir Skubin, Martin Šolar, Lidija Koren, Mojca Ostan,Trampuž Žiga, Matej Čepin, Stane Židan, Anita Ondine Smith, Mia Nease, Miha Mihelič, Matthew Newton, Jane Hutchinson, Kevin Kiernan, Adrian Kiernan, Dan Winter, Bob Brown, Jenny Weber, Ben Webb, Brett Fernon, Hanny Allston, Toni Strgar, Tine Pirnat, Ulrich Eichelmann,Mihela Hladin Wolfe, Ryan Gellert, Femke Köster, Kerstin Engl, Mathew Wilkinson, Jutta Kaiser, David Bain, Tadej Gorzeti, Haidy Kancler
Big thanks to everybody that helped us along the way;
made us lunch, bought us beer, dropped few euros in a donation box or just gave us a high five.
With support from
Patagonia
Co-produced by
Vizualist
Produced by
Leeway Collective
Filmed 2016 – 2018
Copyright ©Leeway Collective 2018
www.balkanriverdefence.org
SCREENINGS
The Official distribution of the film at events ended in 2020. The Undamaged was shown at the following film festivals and events.
October 19-20, 2019
MOVING WATERS FILM FESTIVAL
Bengaluru, India
movingwaters.in
October 28-November 1, 2019
EHO MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL
Skopje, North Macedonia
www.ehofilmfest.mk/en
November 11, 2019
WE THE PEOPLES FILM FESTIVAL
London, UK
wethepeoples.org.uk
November 12, 2019
MOUNTAINFILM GRAZ
Graz, Austria
mountainfilm.com
November 19-23, 2019
NORDIC ADVENTURE FILM FESTIVAL
Copenhagen, Denmark
NAFF.dk
November 15-24, 2019
BBVA MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL of TORELLÓ
Torelló, Spain
torellomountainfilm.cat
SLOVENIAN CINEMA SCREEINGS
multiple locations throughout Slovenia
SEZNAM PROJEKCIJ V SLOVENIJI
October 15-20, 2019
ALEXANDRE TRAUNER ART/FILM FESTIVAL
Szolnok, Hungary
festival.tiszamozi.hu
October 9-12, 2019
ZAGREB TOURFILM FESTIVAL
Zagreb, Croatia
zagreb-tourfilm.com
October 9-13, 2019
BOZACAADA INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL of ECOLOGICAL DOCUMENTARIES
Bozacaada, Turkey
www.bifed.org
October 9, 2019
INNSBRUCK NATURE FILM FESTIVAL
Innsbruck, Austria
inff.eu
October 8, 2019
SLOVENIAN NATIONAL TELEVISION
TV Slovenija 1, 8:50 PM
tvspored.delo.si
October 4-6, 2019
EUGENE ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL (EEFF)
Eugene, USA
eugevoff.org
October 4, 2019
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL of OUTDOOR FILMS
Ostrava, Czech Republic
outdoorfilms.cz
September 27 – October 3, 2019
SOFIA BITING DOCS FILM FESTIVAL
Sofia, Bulgaria
sofiabitingdocs.com
September 27-29
INTERNATIONAL TOURISM FILM FESTIVAL BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
Sarajevo, BiH
bhtourfilm.wixsite.com/iftf
September 14-20, 2019
ALMANTY FILM FESTIVAL
Almanty, Kazakhstan
almatyfilmfestival.com
September 5-8, 2019
MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL ZAKOPANE
Zakopane, Poland
spotkania.zakopane.pl
August 2-11, 2019
MOVIE SUMMIT NISVILLE
Niš, Serbia
nisville.com
July 11-14, 2019
NATURVISON FILM FESTIVAL
Ludwigsburg, Germany
festival.natur-vision.de
May 27-31, 2019
EKOTOPFILM – ENVIROFILM 2019
Bratislava & Banska Bystrica, Slovakia
ekotopfilm.sk
May 24-27, 2019
MOUNTAINFILM FESTIVAL
Telluride, USA
mountainfilm.org
May 24-26, 2019
INTERNATIONAL NATURE FILM FESTIVAL GÖDÖLLO
Gödöllő, Hungary
godollofilmfest.com/en
May 17-19, 2019
RANIER INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL
Ashford, USA
rainier.film
April 15-18, 2019
SWINDON INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL
Swindon, UK
filmatswinge.com
March 28-31, 2019
VALLE FILM FESTIVAL
Valle de Bravo, Mexico
vallefilmfest.com
March 29-31, 2019
CRADLE MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL
Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
cradlemountainfilmfest.com
March 22-24, 2019
SHEFFIELD ADVENTURE FILM FESTIVAL
Sheffield, UK
shaff.co.uk
March 5, 2019
KAJAK FILM FESTIVAL
Rosenheim, GERMANY
kajakfilmfestival.de
February 23, 2019
VIMFF | VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL
Vancouver, CANADA
vimff.org
February 18-24, 2019
FESTIVAL GORINSKEGA FILMA – 13th Annual
Slovenia
gorniski.si
December 29, 2018
BOVEC OUTDOOR FILM FESTIVAL
Bovec, Slovenia
boff.si
December 10, 2018
INDIE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL – Los Angeles International Film Festival
Los Angeles, USA
indieshortfest.com
November 23, 2018
FiLUMS – Lums International Film Festival
Lahore, Pakistan
filums.lums.edu.pk
November 21, 2018
MANCHESTER PATAGONIA STORE
Manchester, UK
Patagonia Manchester
November 15-18, 2018
KENDAL MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL
Kendal, UK
mountainfest.co.uk
